mini fridge is a must in college! I still have my old mini in my basement, great for keeping a cool 12 pack available without taking the stairs to the main fridge.
jingle.son's residence style is like a mini 2-bedroom apt. Kitchenette (full sized fridge, but no stove), bathroom, 2 bedrooms - all separate rooms, but in it's own self-contained unit. So, he doesn't need a mini-fridge. College's up here don't usually have full-service food options (basically, just a small food court / cafeteria). jingle.daughter is going to a University, which has a full meal-plan and lots of food service locations/options. That's why she gets the mini-fridge (for leftovers and other drinks etc...).